New doctoral student: Susan Sami
Susan Sami is welcomed a doctoral student at the Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge. Her principal supervisor is Axel Wester.
What will your thesis be about?
The overall goal of this doctoral project is to gain novel knowledge about how digital interventions can be adapted and tailored to address and meet diverse needs. The Thesis will be framed around three different interventions that have already been or are currently being developed within the research group:
- MINISTOP, targeting primary prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.
- SPARK 2.0, developed for self-management of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
- HjärtVis, a Generative AI-based intervention aimed at secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome.
Why are you interested in this research area?
I am interested in this research area because digital interventions have incredible potential to make health support more accessible and inclusive for everyone, no matter their background. Traditional health programs often fail to reach diverse communities, leading to health inequities where certain groups miss out on vital resources. By co-designing and adapting digital tools- like mobile apps, we can better tailor support to fit the unique cultural, economic, and social needs of different populations.
What did you do before starting your doctoral studies at MedH?
I worked as a Health Communicator in the Transcultural Center as part of the Stockholm region. I worked in providing support and education to healthcare professionals who meet patients in a multicultural society. Empowering migrants and newcomers in Sweden through interactive seminars on healthy lifestyles and healthcare navigation. Designed culturally and linguistically adapted health promotion programs for families with children in a collaboration with child healthcare and midwifery clinics to promote child health and prevent overweight and obesity at individual and population levels.
What are you looking forward to during your doctoral studies?
I look forward to contributing to new knowledge that can help reduce the gaps in healthcare. It will be incredibly exciting to delve into important research and drive this work forward.